Motorway and Trunk Road Service Stations

Which planning authorities have included the provision of motorway services in their structure plans: what action they are taking to ensure that road users are provided with frequent service facilities on motorways and all trunk roads: and what plans they have to fill in gaps where intervals between service areas do not comply with ideal distances. [HL3757]

Information on the provision of motorway service areas (MSAs) included in structure plans is not held centrally. It is for private developers to bring forward MSAs and trunk road services. The department's role is to provide local authorities and developers with guidance and then ensure that proposals are acceptable in road safety terms, and that any MSA signed from the motorway provides a minimum range of services 24 hours a day. Services at roughly 30-mile intervals are sufficient to meet the basic road safety requirements that drivers should have adequate opportunities to stop and rest. There are currently only two gaps on the motorway network where the interval between services is greater than 30 miles; on the western section of the M.25 and between Maidstone and Folkestone on the M.20. Several proposals have been brought forward for the M.25 and planning permission has been granted for a MSA on the M.20, near Folkestone.